Improvement in ball-targets



0. v. BO'UGHTON.

Ball-Target.

No. 215,085. Patented May 6, I879.

Fig.

N-PETERS. PHOTOLITHOGHAPHER. WASHINGTON o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OLAUDIUS V. BOUGHTON, OF TITUSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BALL-TARGETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215,085, dated May 6, 1879 application filed February 14, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GLAUmUs V. BOUGHTON, of Titusville, in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball-Targets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, that will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a ball for trapshooting, such as the one for which Letters Patent No. 209,155 were granted to me under date of October 22, 1878.

The present invention consists, essentially, in a novel construction and improved form of the shells or caps which inclose the ball, and an improved form of the ball itself, whereby several advantages are obtained, as hereinafter particularly described.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the manner of carrying out my invention.

Figure l is an outside view of the ball and shells when ready for use. Fig. 2 is a section taken in the line a: w of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the shells. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are views of modifications hereinafter referred to.

The ball A may be made of wood, paper, or other substance of suitable weight, as in my former patent.

The shells B may be made of any suitable substance or material. The material which would probably be found preferable would be paper. In constructing the shells they are made of two layers, with a layer of fulminating compound between them. In Fig. 3, B represents the outer layer, B the inner layer, and O the fulminate.

By this means I obviate the necessity for applying the fulminate to the surface of the ball or the inner surface of the shell, as the shell thus made is always ready for use, and can beinstantly applied to the ball; Moreover, the surface of the ball is not affected by the explosion of the fulminate, as is the case where said fulminate is applied to said surface.

The shells, of course, are of the same general hemispherical concavo convex form as shown in my former patent, No. 209,155, aforesaid. In order, however, to dispense with the elastic band shown in said patent, and at the same time insure the proper holding of the shells in place, the edges of the shells are provided with joints which fit nicely when the two halves are in place together on the ball. These joints may be of any suitable form;

Figs. 2 and 4 show a rectangular lap-joint. Fig. 5 shows an obtuse-angled lapjoint. Fig. 6 shows a tongue-and-groove joint.

The joints enable the two halves to engage with each other like a box and its lid, so as to fit nicely on the ball and remain in place until the fulminate is exploded.

In some cases the ball A may be formed with an equatorial cylindrical surface, a, (see Fig. 4,) and the shells may have the portions nearest the edges thicker than the remaining portions, so that while theexterior surface of the shell will be perfectly spherical, the interior surface will have a cylindrical portion corresponding with the cylindrical portion of the ball. By this means the shell is strengthened in the vicinity of the joints, and its retention in place on the ball is facilitated.

The shell constructed as above described may be said to consist of a male joint and a female joint. When placed in position on the 'ball the male joint may have some paste, mucilage, or other quick-drying adhesive substance placed on it, so that when the two parts are brought together they will adhere with sufficient tenacity to hold them in place.

The operation of my invention will be evident from the above without further description.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A shell formed of two thicknesses or layers of material, with a layer of fulminating compound between them, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. A shell made in two parts, provided with shouldered, inclined, tongue-and groove, lap, In testimony that I claim the foregoing I or other joints, adapted to engage with each have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of other, in combination with a ball for trap- February, 1879.

shooting, substantially as herein described.

3. A ball for trap-shooting, having its equa' CLAUDIUS V. BOUGHTON. torial portion provided with a cylindrical surface, in combination with a shell having its Witnesses: interior surface corresponding therewith, sub- Cris. 0. J oLINE, stantially as and for the purpose herein de- LEONARD F. GIEGERICH. scribed. 

